Cornish Pilot Gig Oars - set of 6 oars

Traditional craft in the 21st century

The Cornish Pilot Gig started life back in 1838, emerging from a small boatyard in the fishing village of St. Mawes, Cornwall. Today, there are in excess of 125 gigs run by over 50 clubs in and around the South West, providing not only an exciting and competitive sport, but an important link with the past.

With a strict governance over the design and construction of the boats themselves, the oars have to be of 'timber construction and of traditional shaped blade'. One might argue that the commonly accepted macon shaped blade is not entirely traditional, making it's first appearance some 130 years after the first gig was launched. In the world of sliding seat rowing however, Collars had been making a similar oar for over half a century and our skills and patterns easily transferred to the Cornish Gig Oar.

With hollow Sitka Spruce looms and ash backs for stiffness and strength, each oar is hand crafted to ensure any particular brief is adhered to. Patterns have been adapted to suit male crews, as well as junior and female crews, but we will be pleased to discuss any special requirements you or your club may have. Working with a natural material that varies in density and stiffness, we use our skill and judgement in selecting the right timber to give consistency throughout the set. Small adjustments are sometimes made during construction to help balance the oar, and much is down to the oar-maker's experience and skill to produce a winning oar.

Ash tips, varnishing and numbering comes as standard and, should you require illuminated blades and leather, this can all be offered as required.